\n
PARIS (AP) \u2014 Monaco picked up where it left off on Sunday before the international break, beating southern rivals Marseille 2-1 in the French league with a stunning goal from U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to strengthen hosts Monaco’s bid for a Champions League spot.<\/p>\n
The Principality side won seven consecutive games in Ligue 1, extending their unbeaten record in league matches to 10 games.<\/p>\n
With this victory, Monaco is tied on points with Marseille in fourth place, and one point behind Lille in third place.<\/p>\n
Balogun, who has scored eight goals in Monaco’s last eight matches in all competitions, made it 2-0 in the 74th minute with a shot from goalkeeper Lukas Hradecki. The American then dribbled into the box and chipped a delicate lob into the top corner.<\/p>\n
Alexander Golovin put Monaco ahead around the first hour. Marseille got one back through Amin Gouiri in the 85th minute.<\/p>\n
The visitors, playing without the suspended Mason Greenwood, made a late attack in search of an equalizer, but Hradecky made a reflexive save to deny Facundo Medina’s shot, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shot was cleared on the line by Jourdan Theze. <\/p>\n
sprint royalty<\/h2>\n
Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt was at the Louis II Stadium to take part in the kick-off ceremony.<\/p>\n
The world’s fastest man, now retired, has fond memories of Monaco’s track and field stadium, having previously won the 100m at the Heraklis Athletics Championships. <\/p>\n
Lyon’s undefeated game<\/h2>\n
Lyon’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League became even more hopeless after a 0-0 draw against Angers, making their winless run in all competitions now nine.<\/p>\n
Coach Paulo Fonseca’s men, looking for their first win since mid-February, lacked ideas in a game where both teams had few chances.<\/p>\n
Lyon have a tough schedule ahead of them with six Ligue 1 games remaining, including games against leaders Paris Saint-Germain and second-place Reims. The seven-time champion is currently in sixth place, two points behind Lille.<\/p>\n
The top three French teams will qualify directly for the Champions League, while the fourth-placed team will qualify.<\/p>\n
“We had to win today. The fight for Champions League qualification has become even more difficult, but we are not giving up,” Fonseca said.<\/p>\n
On Friday, defending champions PSG increased their lead over Lens to four points. 3-1 win over Toulouse<\/span>. PSG has one game left. <\/p>\nLens endured Saturday night off.<\/span> They then suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat at northern rivals Lille. <\/p>\nLorient were unable to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a victory, losing 1-1 at home to Paris FC. Bamba Dieng put the hosts ahead with his eighth Ligue 1 goal of the season. Marshall Munetsi scored the equalizer in the 74th minute.<\/p>\n
Le Havre and Auxerre drew 1-1.<\/p>\n
Last-place Metz and second-to-last Nantes drew 0-0.<\/p>\n
__<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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